I think I’m going to call June and July The Months of Extremes. I’ve been energized and exhausted. Happy and Heartbroken, Sane and Depressed, Sharp as a katana and numb as a cube of ice.
I started the day off elated. got my mid-term exams results and aced them. Twenty minutes later, anxious and sad – a call my 84 year old mother was admitted to the hospital yesterday and tons of tests being run. She’s in Florida, I’m up here.
So I’m milling around my kitchen cooking like a crazy tornado lady – when sad/anxious/depressed/afraid – I cook.
This song came on the radio and hit the nail on the head – I Go To Extremes….don’t know what’s ahead at this point. I just know it is another round on the rollercoaster of life.
kanzen sakura 
Jul 19, 2014 @ 15:25:46
Sorry to hear about this roller coaster of life, Kanzen. Doing something gets us out of our element, cooking is one of the best therapy Sending prayers over your way..
Jul 19, 2014 @ 15:34:30
Thank you fr your prayers! Mama and I will appreciate any we can get.
Jul 26, 2014 @ 22:40:41
Hello Kanzen! I loved your article about “Mama”. I so hope she is better. I’ve been out of town, so I’m hoping this has been a healing time for her and for you. I love the way you write. Even in handling a difficult and anxious subject, you were able to interject humor and amusing phraseology. I really enjoy the style of writing you use. I’m Southern through and through, but wow do I love sushi! LOL. I’m also glad you like my short book, SURREAL. Hope you’ve read all the chapters so far, I-VIII. IX will be posted next week. Like you, I love writing. Stay in touch.
Author of Gettingblindsided
Jul 19, 2014 @ 15:38:16
Oh man, that’s not an easy ride. Hoping the second part of July and on through the year is even, calm, smooth sailing. Hugs! ❤
Jul 19, 2014 @ 15:51:38
Thank you Paulette. I’ll take all the hugs I can get! Date: Sat, 19 Jul 2014 19:38:18 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Jul 19, 2014 @ 16:22:43
Kanzen, my dear friend, prayers are ongoing and I’ve lit a candle for you and your Mama. Cooking always helps ~ watch the wielding of those sharp knives of yours. Slow down just a trifle when using ’em, okay? Congratulations on acing those mid-terms! So proud to know you and to hear of your accomplishments. You are strong, m’dear. Hold to your center. Love Huntie
Jul 19, 2014 @ 18:09:56
Thank you dear heart for the encouragement, the pride, and prayers. I get by with a little help from my friends. Love.
Jul 19, 2014 @ 16:47:43
I can’t think of anything new to say to you, Kanzen … only join in with the others to convey – well, whatever would best suit you, I guess.
Jul 19, 2014 @ 18:09:02
I appreciate that. Positive thoughts, virtual hugs – all are accepted gratefully.
Jul 19, 2014 @ 20:06:37
Kanzen, Yay for your happinesses, and sorry for your troubles. Been having a similar time of it for months…hope the cooking continues to feed your soul. You and I share this passion, and I believe in its power to heal and comfort. Hang in there, girlfriend. My thoughts and prayers are with you, with a big dollop of LOVE
Jul 20, 2014 @ 00:33:15
Thankk you so much for your kind encouraging words. I feel kind of off balance and …. waiting, I guess. Thank you for the prayers. ❤ ❤ Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 00:06:40 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Jul 20, 2014 @ 07:20:25
High five for the mid-terms!
Sorry you’ve had such a rotten summer so far. Hope all goes well with your mom. Hard being far away… Look after yourself. Keep cooking. You’ll have a freezer full for the next season when life get easier. ❤ ❤ ❤
Jul 20, 2014 @ 13:32:19
It is so hard, as you know. I’m full of grief and fear but taking it one step at a time. Thank you. Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 11:20:26 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Jul 21, 2014 @ 12:13:09
[[[hugs]]] ❤ ❤ ❤
Jul 20, 2014 @ 07:26:33
Sorry to hear the news about your mother. I know how hard it can be when family is ill. Mine are all in a different country, and I have a friend in Japan who just had a serious operation. It’s hard not to be there with them, isn’t it?
I’ll be thinking of you, and hoping that the next phonecall has some good news for you and your mother.
Congratulations on the exam results btw 😀 – being a mature student has its advantages, doesn’t it.
Jul 20, 2014 @ 13:31:25
Theank you for the encouragement and kind words. Thank you. Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 11:26:35 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Jul 20, 2014 @ 12:31:13
Sorry to hear about your mother – hope she is okay. I can imagine how hard this is for you to be apart from her. Blessings, hugs, and prayers!
Jul 20, 2014 @ 13:30:14
Thank you so much! Keep those prayers coming – they’re what’s getting us through. Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 16:31:14 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Jul 20, 2014 @ 15:18:08
Kanzen, Soft smile, I know it’s a ride you wish you didn’t have to take, and I know it’s a ride you seldom enjoy, but knowing you as I do, I know the cooking like a crazy person is of great therapeutic value to you, so cook baby cook. Too bad I am too far away to enjoy your creations. I truly hope that things with your mom calm down and that she passes her tests and soon back on her feet. Take care, Bill
Jul 20, 2014 @ 19:20:09
Thank you dear Bill. You would have been treated yesterday to butter tender pot roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, lots of veggies, key lime pie, and hot buttermilk biscuits. Today would have been fried chicken, leftover pot roast, tater salad, veggies, some key lime pie and coconut custard pie, more biscuits. Wish I could have set several plates for you! Mama has lots of issues – COPD, heart problems….and now, a torn aorta. I feel death looking over my shoulder and it is a bad feeling. I’ve placed her in God’s hands. That’s the best I can do. Tomorrow I’ll clean out all my cabinets and Tuesday, install a ceiling fan in the bedroom, rest of week study and do homework. Something the army sharpshooters used to say “If you keep moving, they can’t get ya”. That’s one of my mantras now. Thank you for your kind words, prayers, and affection. It helps more than you know. Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 19:18:10 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Jul 21, 2014 @ 19:42:55
Came to check in on you, Kanzen, my friend. May I just say, I would have sat down and not moved as I ate everything you put in place in front of me! I’ll email you under separate cover to see how the closets are doing… Love you, Huntie ❤
Jul 22, 2014 @ 16:06:20
And I would have encouraged you to, as my grandfather would have saidto “eat until your little belly drags”
Jul 22, 2014 @ 16:21:53
Laughing out loud, Kanzen! I promise I will do it one day and you will be challenged to make it so!
Jul 22, 2014 @ 20:13:41
It would be interesting to see how much that tiny tummy could hold. 🙂 Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 20:21:55 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Jul 22, 2014 @ 22:12:26
OH, Kanzen, I shall foot the market bill as, trust me, I’m an expensive mouth to keep fed! Most people don’t believe it before they see me put it away…. s’okay. Grin.
Jul 22, 2014 @ 22:45:14
A very long time friend of mine is 5’5″ amd weighs 90 pounds. Years and years ago, in a galaxy far far away, she and I commenced on an extended bout of munchies – Friday noon to Sunday noon. She went to the store and came back with 2 whole chckens, 10 pounds of potatoes, 5 pounds of large in shell shrimp, 2 thick porterhouse steaks and asked me, do you need anything else to fix what we want? the result was 2 fried chickens, chicken and dumpling, the two steaks, mashed taters, tater salad, scalloped potatoes, fried okra (3 lbs), a stock pot of gravy, cheese soufflé, steamed in beer shrimp, French fries, apple pie, peach pie, banana bread, 3 dozen biscuts, bread pudding, cole slaw, and several gallons of sweet tea. Jo ate most of it during that time frame. Oh yeah and a chocolate meringue pie, several pounds of green beans, sesame noodles, and cornbread. “Sunday night, after spending most of the day in a hammock asleep, she comes into the house and wants to know, what’s for supper? So Huntie dear, I think I got it. BTW – after the carnage, I had a cup of sugar, a bit of flour, a can of pork and beans, and a six pack of guiness left. Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2014 02:12:27 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Jul 22, 2014 @ 23:41:13
Gee, we’re all set with a menu! Great! I’m tapping my feet, flexing my arms, patting my belly – ready, set, go, go, go! Grin.
Jul 23, 2014 @ 14:27:18
It will be interesting to see if you can outeat Jo. She can put an all you can eat shrimp bar out of business. At some places, she has actually been asked to leave. Incredible. She has the same thyroid condition as you.
Jul 27, 2014 @ 18:09:48
Kanzen…My thoughts are with you…and I am sending healing beautiful white energy to your Mom…I hope everything is ok. And congrats on your exams!!! 🙂
Jul 27, 2014 @ 20:18:55
Thank you so very much for this kindness. She can use all the positivity and healing energy she can get. I do so very much appreciate this kindness. Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 22:09:51 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Jul 30, 2014 @ 03:30:44
I am sorry about your highs and lows, kanzensakura. Perhaps you can fall back on the meaning of your name: 完全桜. That may help ride out the lows.
Jul 30, 2014 @ 12:26:41
Thank you. Thank you so much for the comment and encouragement and reminder.
Jul 31, 2014 @ 20:01:25
I haven’t heard this song in SO long! Thx for sharing. I hope your Mom is doing better. xo
Aug 01, 2014 @ 01:17:59
A little but I think it is getting close to the end for her. I’m going down after end of school term for a visit. Thank you so much for asking.
Aug 01, 2014 @ 11:49:58
I’m sending good wishes your way for your mother.
My biped can’t sit still when she’s worried! She starts cleaning and tidying.
Aug 01, 2014 @ 13:49:15
Thank you so much Clowie! Your good wishes mean so much to me and my mother will be gladdened that you sent them her way. I have a hard time sitting still too. I clean and go into a cooking frenzy! ❤ Date: Fri, 1 Aug 2014 15:50:01 +0000 To: thspencer51@hotmail.com
Aug 02, 2014 @ 13:58:41
You have a great blog and I liked it. Thank you so much for visting my blog. Your welcome back anytime. Have a blessed weekend.
Aug 02, 2014 @ 15:18:16
Thank you, same here. visit often and.be blessed. 🙂